Last 3 months headlines – Page 1203
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Why do firms run shy of campaigns?
The legal profession is often wary of the word ‘campaign’. Historically it was perceived as the preserve of those at the (often politically motivated) margins of the profession. Yet currently, we routinely advise our law firm clients on how to structure and deliver campaigns across a ...
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MoJ sets out rules for post-Jackson civil justice system
The Ministry of Justice today sets out in detail how the Jackson reforms will work when the majority come into force on 1 April. In a statutory instrument laid down in parliament, the department sets out the Civil Procedure (Amendment) Rules that will set out the ...
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Fosters veteran and the trial of Oscar Wilde
In Obiter’s roll of long-established practices, Norwich firm Fosters, founded 1761, is a stripling. However, partner Andrew Saul writes with another claim to fame: ‘We almost certainly have the oldest surviving former member of staff.’ Mary Snelling (pictured) joined Fosters on 1 December 1921 as shorthand typist and went on ...
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In the dark over Jackson
There are times as a journalist when it feels good to be the only one that knows something. Whether it’s an embargoed explosive report or an ‘off-the-record’ chat, knowledge is power. But there are some times when knowledge sits uncomfortably, when those who should know are ...
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Modern twist on Carmen
Thanks to everyone who entered our competition to update the storyline of Bizet’s Carmen for a modern, legally savvy audience. One entry stood out: ‘Carmen should be a life coach, Jose an environmental consultant and Escamillo could run a donkey sanctuary. When Carmen dumps Jose ...
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Time for ethics to fight back
by Louis Armstrong CBE, chairman, Professions for Good As a society we place our trust in a wide range of expert advisers, specialists and representatives to act in the best interests of both ourselves, and the organisations and communities we work and live in.
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Food for thought
The news that supermarkets have put withdrawn hamburgers back on the shelves reminds me of the days very early in my career when I did a bit of prosecuting for a small chain of supermarkets.
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Bypassing lawyers would save £1.5bn, insurer claims
Removing lawyers altogether from the small-claims process would save each motorist an average £60 a year on their car insurance premiums, a major insurer today claimed. In a report into the personal injury sector Aviva called for claimants to go directly to the ‘at-fault’ insurer rather ...
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Cobbetts’ debt recovery arm finds a buyer
Administrators today confirmed that the final unsold part of defunct law firm Cobbetts has been acquired.
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Doing the washing
There is said to be a small village where the only industry is one in which dwellers take in each other’s washing. The more I think about it the more likely that will happen to the solicitors’ profession. Not that we will take in each other’s laundry. No, nothing as ...
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Society pours cold water on the SRA’s red-tape bonfire
The Law Society has come to the defence of nearly half the items on a menu of ‘unnecessary’ red tape drawn up by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
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The Eastleigh by-election could be improved by lawyers
Where are the lawyers of Eastleigh? Or more specifically, as Chris Huhne’s former constituency, site of a coming by-election, has 50 law firms within 4.5 miles of the town centre, why is no candidate in this election paying much attention to legal issues or the law? ...
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Jackson implementation ‘a complete shambles’ say litigators
The president of an organisation representing more than 1,000 civil litigators has added her voice to a growing chorus of alarm about the rushed implementation of the Jackson reforms. Francesca Kaye (pictured), president of the London Solicitors Litigation Association, described the Ministry of Justice’s handling ...
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Yorkshire firm to go into administration
Yorkshire law firm Atteys is to go into administration, putting at risk 140 jobs unless a buyer can be rapidly found. Finance director Andy Tuke said today: ‘As a result of continuing financial pressures, Atteys has engaged BDO Leeds to assist in looking for a buyer ...
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The trade deal to end all trade deals
The world’s two biggest economies have begun negotiating a deal to create a £3.3 trillion free-trade zone – and yet my pulse isn’t racing at the prospect of the biggest trade deal in history. (Three trillion is three followed by 12 zeros, although you probably knew that already.) ...
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Managerialising death
by Jacqueline Laing, a solicitor and lecturer at London Metropolitan University One needs no Sibylline insights but only an understanding of human nature to have observed the financial, political and medical interests that there are in institutionalising sedation-and-dehydration regimes,
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Excise duty
Customs and Excise – Duties – Imported goods – Personal use Stern v United Kingdom Border Agency: Queen's Bench Division, Divisional Court: 23 January 2013 The appellant bought a substantial ...
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Immigration
Leave to remain – Defendant secretary of state rejecting applications – Claimants challenging secretary of state's policy as unlawful on ground of ambiguity R (on the application of Sharmilla and others) v Secretary of State for the Home Department; ...
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Extending our jurisdiction
Despite hysterical ‘end of the world’ concerns about fiscal cliffs and apocalyptic Mayan calendars, it seems we all managed to see out Christmas without too much controversy. But much as I was relieved not to meet my doom on 21 December, the joy was short-lived ...
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Encourage firms to work with claims centre
In the last 12 months, there has been considerable scepticism expressed about the introduction of the County Court Money Claims Centre (CCMCC). As such, I think it is important to balance those views against the fact that the centralisation has been a massive undertaking that will clearly take time to ...